HC Peter Laviolette makes his feelings known after NY Rangers' 9th loss in 12 games

By ARJUN B

Modified Dec 15, 2024 02:39 GMT

Follow Us

Share

1 Discuss

New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette did not mince words following his team's 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, the Rangers' 9th defeat in their last 12 games. The loss drops the Rangers' record to 15-13-1 on the season.

Laviolette expressed frustration with his team's poor start to the game, saying:

"It's frustrating, it's a bad start to a game like that in our building, it's bad, you know what I mean, it was a bad start. Right from the very beginning, just the puck movement, the speed in which we were playing, the strides completely different from where we were a game ago.”

Laviolette emphasized the need for consistency, saying the team needs to string together 10 solid games rather than just playing one good game occasionally.

Laviolette was also critical of the team's defensive play, saying:

"We need to knock some people down. We do have the people there, not on the first one, but on others after that we've got enough guys in there we should be able to defend in an area and it wasn't a priority, it needs to be a priority."

The lone Rangers goal came from Filip Chytil. Quinton Byfield, Warren Foegele, Adrian Kempe, Alex Turcotte and Philip Danault scored for the Kings

Igor Shesterkin was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 21 shots. He was replaced by Jonathan Quick, who made 11 saves in relief. Darcy Kuemper made 31 saves in the win.

Analyst predicts changes for NY Rangers after 5-1 loss to Kings

General manager Chris Drury shook things up by trading captain Jacob Trouba last week, but the team has continued to struggle, barely beating the Penguins and Sabres while suffering lopsided losses to the Kings, Devils and Kraken.

Analyst Arthur Staple of The Athletic, predicts more changes are coming soon for the floundering Rangers.

"They already dumped their captain. Who’s walking the plank next off this sinking Rangers ship. That’s the only question to ask in the wake of another embarrassing day on the ice."

Staple speculates head coach Peter Laviolette's tenure may be coming to an early end if the poor play continues.

“It may not be this weekend, but Laviolette’s term might be coming to a premature end"

The Rangers will look to turn things around when they face the St. Louis Blues on Sunday at Enterprise Center.